roknroll

I'm looking into booking a room with points for 3 people in a room. When I'm browsing hotels/rooms, and select 3 adults it removes all of the points options and says "Award stays limited to 1 room / 2 adults. Please change rooms / adults to see availability".

Is there any way around this? Could I just book it on points for 2 people, then call the hotel to add on the third for a fee? I realize it will depend on if the room allows more than 2 people, but assume the room bookable with points would also be available for 3 people if paying cash.

Anyone have experience with this?

SKYEG

Are you booking a room that is meant for 2 people(king) or can fit 4(2 queens)?

If I were you I would book and make sure you select a room that can sleep 4, than at check in notify the hotel and they will determine if they want to charge you or not(they most likely will).

roknroll

The initial hotel I looked at did not have a 'points' room that could accommodate 3 people. But to test it out, I found another hotel in the city where the standard room for points (with 2 people) was also available for cash when searching for 3 people. But the points option disappeared when it was bumped up to 3 people.

I'm assuming that I'd have to pay an extra fee for the third person, just wanted to get some feedback on if it would be okay to book a points stay for 2 people and then later add on the third (dealing directly with the hotel). Just don't want them to say "you can't have 3 people on a points stay, so you'll have to pay outright for the room and have the points refunded".

3Cforme

if you really try to apply that universally across Starwood you're courting trouble. There are award rooms that lack bedding for three. There are award rooms that lack the space for a roll-away. Try booking the award by phone, with bedding options for three (room types not guaranteed on award stays) and certainly having the res agent make a request for a roll-away where award room types have only bedding for two.

spgplat21

I ran into this problem in Europe and most of the hotels I looked at had a higher redemption options available for 3 people if you called and asked. Each place made you show passports for all the guests, so I personally wouldn't take a chance on this because many rooms won't legally accomodate more than two adults.

That said, in the US where nearly all rooms will accomodate 3 or 4 adults I just book for 2 and have never had a hotel add a charge for the 3rd person. But YMMV and just go into it knowing they could charge you for the extra adult, but in Europe I wouldn't take the chance.

travelswithmyself

I've been booking with the iOS app. It doesn't allow me to add children. Therefore my rooms are always "2 adults" but we squeeze our young kids in. I've never been charged for it though they are aware, and I only pay for breakfast for them. Sometimes not even.

TBH, I would just book the C&P or points room for a 2-adult room and work my way around it. If you must have a roll-away, then be prepared to pay for the bed and third person.

YMMV

roknroll

Thanks for the feedback. The hotel I am looking at IS in Europe so I would definitely inform the hotel that there would be 3 people. Specifically I am looking in Munich.

spg plat, when you said hotels had a higher redemption option, was that with more points or a cash co-pay?

I'd prefer the Four Points Munich Central (nights & flights), however their base room bookable on points isnt suitable for 3 people, and we'd require the executive or studio room (not bookable with points). The other option I am considering is the Meridien which has a "superior room: 2 single beds" bookable for 16k points with 2 people per room. If I search with 3 people, that same room is still bookable for cash.

I might just try to email the Four Points directly and ask if I can book a standard room on points for 2 people, then pay to upgrade to the studio and add a 3rd person. That would be ideal, but please tell me if it's a waste of time and to not even try.

If going the Le Meridien route, should I just book for 2 and then show up with 3 and deal with paying for the 3rd person at the hotel? Or try to make sure it's all taken care of before I book?

ldsant

OP - is this for 3 ADULTS or 2 adults and 1 child? As others have mentioned, you won't be able to "get away" with this in Europe. They are rather strict. I would suggest you have everything worked out BEFORE going on your trip so that you don't have any problem or issue while on your vacation.

spgplat21

It was always a special point redemption that required more points and it was only available by calling. But most hotels have higher point rates for the larger rooms too, so I would at least be sure that I booked a room that allowed 3 adults and sometimes we were charged for a rollaway and other times we weren't.

krpjr

I generally book room for 2, and the party grows!!! Hello, cannot tell the ladies they can't join ...

roknroll

I've sent an email to both the Meridien and Four Points Central in Munich to see what they say. I'll let you know how it goes.

At the Four Points, I'm asking if I can book a standard room with 2 single beds for 2 people, and then either 1) add on a 3rd person to that room for a fee or 2) upgrade to a studio room and add on the 3rd person for a fee. At the Meridien, I can book a room with 2 single beds for points, which also allows a 3rd person when paying cash. So I'm asking them if I can book that room for 2 on points and then just pay to add the 3rd person to the same room.

roknroll

Sounds like it will work out fine.

Four Points said I can book the standard room with points, then pay (per night) 30 euro to upgrade to the studio room and another 30 euro to add a rollaway bed.

Meridien said to just book the standard room with 2 beds for 2 people on points, and I can pay 60 euro per night to add an extra bed and 3rd person.

They both said to just book the room on points and then contact them, or they could even do the booking with points for me. I'll be doing a nights and flights redemption, so I'll have to call Starwood to book, then give the reservation info to the hotel to modify.

panamamike

Why does SPG not allow the children during booking? I've seen another post that suggests looking at the hotel policy. There are hotels that explicitly define what a child is, for example: 12 and under. Then go on to say they are "free". Yet, the SPG system doesn't allow to add them to the reservation...

Regards,

Mike

Starwood Lurker

It is not set up to do this for award reservations at this time, but you can call or chat with the call center and add as many extra children as the hotel's definition and the room choice will allow in a single room.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

silentbob1974

Any need to modify the award reservation if the child is an infant and we're bringing our own travel crib?